Posted By Vickie Makings On November 30, 2012 @ 11:36 am In Art,Lifestyles,Uncategorized | No Comments

Wall hangings, plant holders, handbags… you name it, there was a macrame design for it.

Every groovy apartment in the 1970s had its fair share of hanging art called ‘Macrame,’ which was handcrafted and lovingly hung as (sometimes) functional home decor[1]. Don’t worry! There is no indication that the craft of Macrame is making a comeback. But students of history should really know, and appreciate, the saturation levels this craft was able to attain in the American market at the time.

Hanging art was all the rage in the 1970s. Here Julia Wright displays her hand-crafted macrame designs for a 1976 show in Denver.

The craft has ancient roots. It is thought to have originated with Arabic weavers and was probably spread around the world by seafarers. There are many naval associations due to the knot-tying skills involved. Sailors whiled away time at sea tying up hammocks and creating fringes and belts, for example.

In 1977, artist Debbie Salts used a cone of jute, or rough twine, for her macrame creation.

Materials varied, but the rough twine so associated with the 1970s era was usually jute. Large beads were often incorporated. Sometimes white cording was used. There was no end to the variety of items produced, as these photos show.

Macrame showed up in many fashions of the 1970s. Here, a choker, belts and bag display the colorful knots of the craft.

Macrame was employed to decorate all kinds of household items in the 1970s. Here, a Message Center!

Macrame had a long and lasting role to play in many 1980s garage sales. But as with any fad, one never knows when it could rush back into fashion, invading our homes and cradling spider plants in sunny corners… so stay on the alert.